Shop safely

Look for promotional packs of Cadbury chocolates, including Chocolate Orange Minis, Dairy Milk Giant Buttons and Crunchie Rocks (£2ish at most supermarkets, see image below), to get a voucher for 2for1 entry at more than 20 Merlin attractions.

The voucher's valid until 31 Jul 2017 at attractions including Legoland, Thorpe Park, Chessington, Alton Towers, Sea Life centres and sanctuaries, the Dungeons and Madame Tussauds. Some dates are excluded at selected attractions, including some in August - see 'more info' below.

Just present the voucher at your chosen attraction when buying one full-price on-the-gate adult ticket (usually up to £55ish) and another person will gain free entry.

How much you'll save

A full-price adult Legoland ticket’s £55.40 on the gate, but £41 if booked online more than a week in advance. While this 2for1’s only valid on the pricier tickets, it’ll still save you £24.60 factoring in the cost of chocolate compared with buying two cheaper tickets without a 2for1 (£53.40 if you’d normally buy on-the-gate tickets).

There’s also the added benefit of not having to commit to your plans seven or more days ahead – allowing you to wait and see what the weather’s like, and simply rock up at the gate with your voucher.

Before using the voucher, you should compare this offer against others to see if there's a better one for you (see all theme park deals).

The age classification for an adult ticket varies between attractions so make sure you check before you go. Also check the venue's individual opening dates as some are closed at certain times of the year. For example, Chessington, Legoland Windsor, Alton Towers and Thorpe Park are closed in November. There are also some extra excluded dates listed below:

29-31 Oct at The Blackpool Tower Dungeon and The London, York and Edinburgh Dungeons

1-31 Dec at Legoland Windsor

25 Dec at all attractions

2017 exclusion dates will be available at the end of the 2016 season. Promotional vouchers don’t guarantee entry into attractions in the event of venue capacity being reached. Voucher can't be used with any other offer or concession, reward or loyalty schemes, pre-purchased/advance tickets, online or call centre bookings, combination tickets, two day passes, annual passes, Q-bot, Fastrack, secondary ticketed events, hotel events, concerts or group bookings.Only one voucher can be used per person and per transaction. See full T&Cs.

MSE Update Wed 19 Oct: Kellogg's has told us there may still be some promotional packs available but the majority will now be filtering out of stores so you may have to look a little bit harder to find one.

Look for promotional packs of Kellogg's cereal and snacks, including Rice Krispies, Frosties, Crunchy Nut and Squares (£2ish-£4ish at most supermarkets), to get free adult entry via a 'Grown-Ups Go Free' voucher for 32 Merlin attractions.

The voucher's valid until 30 Jun 2017. Effectively this is a 2for1, as you must buy a full-price on-the-gate child or adult ticket (usually up to £52ish) to get the free adult entry, but this could actually work out better than a 2for1 ticket if you’re an adult going with a child as generally child tickets tend to be cheaper than adult ones.

The vouchers can be exchanged for entry on the day at 32 Merlin attractions such as Legoland, Thorpe Park, Chessington, Alton Towers, Sea Life centres and sanctuaries, the Dungeons and Madame Tussauds. Some dates are excluded at attractions - see 'more info' below.

How much you’ll save

As this 2for1 is for on-the-gate tickets, you can save a great deal. For example, an adult ticket at Alton Towers is £51.60 on the gate, so even compared with buying a cheaper advance ticket online for £36.12, the voucher saves you £22.80ish factoring in the cereal cost. Before using the voucher, you should compare this offer against others to see if there's a better one for you (see all theme park deals).

You can also book online

To guarantee entry and beat the queues at selected attractions, there's also an option to book your tickets online in advance using unique codes found on Kellogg’s cereal packets (though you’ll still pay the on-the-gate price). Technically, these codes can be combined with the physical vouchers to obtain two free adult tickets with two full-price child tickets purchased - see 'more info' for full details.

Here's a list of Kellogg's products with the voucher. Ensure you take the voucher with you on the day. It can only be used against the gate price, not the discounted online price. The age classification for an adult ticket varies between attractions so make sure you check before you go. Valid for standard entry tickets only.

Also check the venue's individual opening dates as some are closed at certain times of the year. For example, Chessington, Legoland Windsor, Alton Towers and Thorpe Park close in November. There are also some extra excluded dates listed below:

Every Fri and Mon until Sun 27 Mar, and 29-31 Oct 2016 at The Blackpool Tower Dungeon

28-31 Oct 2016 at The London, York and Edinburgh Dungeons

1-31 Dec 2016 at Legoland Windsor

25 Dec 2016 at all attractions

York Dungeon is currently closed due to flooding in late 2015 and there isn't a timescale for when it will reopen.

Promotional vouchers don’t guarantee entry into attractions in the event of venue capacity being reached. Offer can't be used with any other offer or concession, reward or loyalty schemes, pre-purchased/advance tickets, online or call centre bookings, combination tickets, two day passes, annual passes, Q-bot, Fastrack, priority entrance, early ride time, secondary ticketed events, hotel events or group bookings.

Or book online in advance using promo codes on cereal packets

To guarantee entry in advance, you can book tickets online (excludes The Blackpool Tower Circus) at a special Merlin website ahead of your visit. To do this, you need a unique 10 digit code found on promotional packs of Kellogg’s cereal only, either underneath the carton flap or on the base of the box.

This method of redeeming the offer requires you to pay the gate price in advance and print out your tickets. At selected attractions, you can scan these tickets and walk right through the gates, enabling you to beat the queues.

Get a free digital photograph

For a limited time in Tesco stores, special packs of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes 750g will include an additional voucher to claim a free digital photograph at participating venues.

Convert Tesco Clubcard points into Tesco Boost tokens* and on some theme parks you get four times the vouchers' face value to use on tickets, eg, £5 in points converts into £20 worth of Boost rewards.
Here are some of the places you can visit:

Expired Deals

Look for promotional packs of Kellogg's cereal and snacks, including Rice Krispies, Frosties, Crunchy Nut and Squares (£2ish-£3ish at most supermarkets until 30 Jun 2015), to get a "Grown-Ups Go Free" voucher for 28 UK Merlin theme parks and attractions.

Effectively this is a 2for1, as you must buy a full-price child or adult ticket to get the free adult entry. It's 'grrreat!' as you can get it now and go any time over the summer.

This could actually work out better than a 2for1 ticket if you’re an adult going with a child as generally, children’s tickets tend to be cheaper than adult tickets.

The vouchers can be exchanged for entry on the day at 28 Merlin attractions, such as Alton Towers, Legoland, Chessington, Sea Life centres and sanctuaries and Madame Tussauds, until 30 Jun 2016. Some dates are excluded at attractions, see 'more info' below.

Check online prices first

As this 2for1 is for on-the-gate tickets (usually up to £50 a ticket), it's always worth checking online before you use the voucher as these can be much cheaper than the gate and there are sometimes online offers.

We found at some attractions this voucher isn't worth it compared to normal online advance prices. For example, a standard adult off-peak Thorpe Park ticket is £49.99 on the gate and £24.99 in advance online – so using the voucher will cost the same as booking online for two adults. If you then factor in the price of the cereal, you're actually making a £3ish loss with the voucher.

However, there are other attractions where you can save a great deal. For example, an adult gate ticket at Alton Towers is £50.40 but £37.80 seven days in advance online normally, so the voucher saves £22.20ish factoring in the cereal cost.

Also make sure there are no other deals on, as attractions have offers all year round.

Important:Make sure the expiry on the voucher matches 30 Jun 2016. This deal runs annually so there is a chance you could get a cereal with a voucher from last year’s promotion.

Voucher and details are on packs available in most supermarkets till 30 Jun 2015 - subject to availability. Here's a list of Kellogg's products with the voucher. Ensure you take the voucher with you on the day. It can only be used against the gate price, not the discounted online price.

The age classification for an adult ticket varies between attractions so make sure you check before you go. Valid for standard entry tickets only and one voucher per person, per transaction.

Also check the venue's individual opening dates as some are closed at certain times of the year.

Excludes the upcoming Shrek's Adventure attraction and any secondary attractions including the Castle Dungeon at Warwick Castle. There are also some extra excluded dates listed below:

When there are special events on (e.g. Lates at The Dungeons and Legoland Windsor Christmas events), hotel events or concerts at all attractions

2016 exclusion dates will be available from the end of 2015 on the Kellogg's website.

Offer can't be used with:

Any other offer or concession

Reward or loyalty scheme

Pre-purchased/advance tickets

Online or call centre ticket bookings (except the London Dungeon which you can pre-book online via this Kellogg's London Dungeon link, but you must still bring your voucher with you on the day along with your pre-booked ticket)

Buy The Sun, The Sun on Sunday or The Scottish Sun (40p weekdays, 60p Sat, 70p Sun) between Sat 11 and Fri 17 Oct and get a 2for1 voucher every day for 24 Merlin attractions, including Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Sea Life centres and The Dungeons.

Each voucher gets one adult or child free ticket when one full-price gate adult ticket is bought. It's good, as you can get it now and go any time till the end of the year or until the attraction closes for the 2014 season. Some dates are excluded, see 'more info' below.

Check online prices first

Buying tickets online in advance can be much cheaper than the gate price – sometimes just over half the price. So if there’s an odd number of people in your party, buying this way will often beat buying at the gate with the 2for1. So if you’re planning a trip, check online first.

For example, an adult Thorpe Park ticket is £49.99 on the gate but costs from £25.99 if you book 2+ days in advance online - so the voucher only saves around £1 for two adults.

On the other hand, an adult gate ticket at Alton Towers is £49.20 but £36.90 seven days in advance online, so voucher saves around £24 for two adults.

Ensure you take the voucher with you on the day. It can only be used against the on-the-day price, not the discounted online price. Valid for standard entry tickets only. Children must always be accompanied by an adult, check the attraction's website for more details.

The T&Cs say one voucher per person and per transaction, so if you’re a big group, you may have to pay separately.

The voucher's valid till 31 Dec 2014, apart from the following as they close earlier: Thorpe Park, Chessington and Legoland Windsor (till Mon 3 Nov) and Alton Towers (till Fri 7 Nov). Be aware, the opening times of the individual attractions may still vary, so always check.

There are some extra excluded dates listed below:

29 Oct - 2 Nov 2014 at Thorpe Park

29-31 Oct 2014 at London Dungeons

30 Oct-1 Nov 2014 at The Blackpool Tower Dungeons

31 Oct - 2 Nov 2014 at York Dungeons

30 Oct - 2 Nov 2014 at Edinburgh Dungeons

8-9 Nov 2014 at Alton Towers

25 Dec 2014 at all attractions

any special events, hotel events and concerts at all attractions

Plus, Sea Life Hunstanton is closed until Thu 16 Oct.

Offer can't be used with:

any other offer or concession

reward or loyalty scheme

pre-purchased, advance tickets, call centre or online ticket bookings (apart from London Dungeons where you also have the option to book online - see below)

This is the only attraction you can choose to pre-book online. Just go via this London Dungeons link, enter your code and follow the instructions. Make sure you bring the The Sun voucher, as well as your pre-booked ticket with you on the day.

Look for promotional single packs of Walkers Wotsits, Quavers, Squares, Monster Munch and French Fries (55p-£1), which have a half-price entry voucher on the back. Each voucher gets 50% off one adult or child full-price gate ticket at one of 25 Merlin attractions, including Alton Towers, Legoland, Thorpe Park, Sea Life and Madame Tussauds.

Check online prices first

The 50% saving is based on tickets bought on the gate, which can cost up to £49.99. However online tickets (which you need to book at least a day in advance) are cheaper, so the saving against these tickets is smaller or about the same.

For example, an adult ticket on the gate at Thorpe Park is £49.99 (£25 with voucher) but only £25.99 if you book 2+ days in advance online. On the other hand, an adult gate ticket at Alton Towers is £49.20 (£24.60 with voucher) but £36.90 seven days in advance online. So use it with Thorpe Park and the deals not that strong, but use it at Alton Towers and it's cracking. Always check online prices if you know you’re visiting.

The voucher’s valid till the end of the year but promotional packs are likely to disappear at the end of August, so grab them now if you think you might make a trip this year. Some attractions close before the end of the year and there are some excluded dates, see more info below. See the T&Cs for a full list of attractions.

We got in touch with Walkers and it says the packs will be delivered to retailers until the end of August, although it couldn't give an exact date and it's while stocks last. It's valid on single standard or grab bag packs.

Ensure you take the voucher with you on the day. It can only be used against the on-the-day price, not the discounted online price. Valid for standard entry tickets only. Children must always be accompanied by an adult, check the attraction's website for more details.

The T&Cs say one voucher per person and per transaction, so if there's more than one of you in your group with a voucher, you may have to pay separately.

The voucher's valid till 31 Dec 2014, apart from the following as they close earlier: Thorpe Park, Chessington and Legoland Windsor (till Mon 3 Nov) and Alton Towers (till Fri 7 Nov). Be aware, the opening times of the individual attractions may still vary, so always check.

Multiple Nectar vouchers can be used in one transaction but not with any other offer, discount or coupons. Valid on food only, includes the children's menu but excludes drinks. Can't be used in Earls Court Exhibition Centre, the O2, Brent Cross, Westfield Stratford, Westfield White City, Olympia, Strand or at PizzaExpress Jazz Clubs, music rooms or pop-up restaurants.

One voucher per ticket, max voucher value is £20. Can't be used with any other offer, or on tickets booked online or over the phone. The London Aquarium is excluded from this offer.

Local Days Out Partners (3x value)

Max voucher value is £30, you can use multiple vouchers in one transacation. Some attractions require you to book over the phone in advance and quote the code on your voucher.

Go Ape (3x value)

Max voucher value is £30, you can use multiple vouchers in one transaction. You must book in advance online or by calling 0843 249 7058 and quoting the code on your voucher (there's a £2 fee for telephone bookings). Vouchers can't be used on food, drink or merchandise.

One voucher per person and per transaction, max voucher value is £40. Excludes music events and concerts. Can't be used with any other offer, or on tickets booked online or over the phone.

Madame Tussaudsand Warwick Castle (4x value)

One voucher per person and per transaction, max voucher value is £30. Excludes music events, concerts and secondary attractions at Warwick Castle. Can't be used with any other offer, concession, online or phone bookings.

Nectar Swim (4x value)

Vouchers issued in bundles of four for 500 points and can be used at both silver and gold pools. Can't be used in conjunction with any other offer, promotion or discount rate unless otherwise stated. Voucher must be presented with your Nectar card.

Look for promotional packs of Kellogg's cereal, including Rice Krispies, Coco Pops, Corn Flakes, Frosties and Crunchy Nut (£2-£3), which include a "Grown Ups go free" voucher. It's great, as you can get it now and go any time over the summer.

These can be used at 27 Merlin attractions, such as Alton Towers, Legoland, Thorpe Park, Sea Life centres and sanctuaries and Madame Tussauds, until 30 Jun 2015. Some dates are excluded, see below.

Effectively this is a 2for1, as you must buy a full-price child or adult ticket to get the free adult entry.

As this 2for1 is for on the gate tickets (usually up to £50 a ticket), it’s always worth checking online before you use the voucher as these tickets tend to be discounted. Also make sure there are no other deals on, as attractions have offers all year round.

Voucher and details are on packs available in most supermarkets till 31 Jul 2014 - subject to availability. Ensure you take the voucher with you on the day. It can only be used against the on-the-day price, not the discounted online price.

The age classification for an adult ticket varies between attractions so make sure you check before you go. Valid for standard entry tickets only. One voucher per person, per transaction.

Also check the venue's individual opening dates as some are closed at certain times of the year. There are some extra excluded dates listed below:

25-30 Oct 2014 at The Blackpool Tower Attractions

30 Oct-2 Nov 2014 at Thorpe Park

30-31 Oct 2014 at all Dungeons

8-9 Nov 2014 at Alton Towers

25 Dec 2014 at all attractions.

any special events, hotel events, concerts at all attractions.

2015 exclusion dates will be available from the end of 2014 on the Kellogg's website.

Before spending, use Martin's Mantras. If you answer 'NO' to any, Don't buy!

are you

Skint?
ask:

Do I need it?

Can I afford it?

are you

not skint?
ask:

Will I use it?

Is it worth it?

Free protection for all shopping!

There's a little-known piece of legislation that turns any credit card into a financial self-defence superhero. 'Section 75' of the Consumer Credit Act means your plastic must protect anything you buy for more than £100 for free, so if there's a problem or the company goes bust, you can still get your money back.

And although Section 75 doesn't apply to debit cards, there is something else to fall back on if you've paid using a debit card, or used a credit card for a purchase under £100. Known as Chargeback, this is part of banks' and card companies' internal rules and not a legal requirement. Read full details of Section 75 or Chargeback, plus how to claim, in our guides.

If a link has a * by it, that means it is an affiliated link and therefore it helps MoneySavingExpert stay free to use, as it is tracked to us. If you go through it, it can sometimes result in a payment or benefit to the site.

You shouldn't notice any difference and the link will never negatively impact the product. Plus the editorial line (the things we write) is NEVER impacted by these links. We aim to look at all available products. If it isn't possible to get an affiliate link for the top deal, it is still included in exactly the same way, just with a non-paying link. For more details, read How This Site Is Financed.

For the sake of transparency, so you can check there's no difference, here are duplicate versions of the * links that don't help MoneySavingExpert.com: Tesco Clubcard

How this site works

We think it's important you understand the strengths and limitations of the site. We're a journalistic website and aim to provide the best MoneySaving guides, tips, tools and techniques, but can't guarantee to be perfect, so do note you use the information at your own risk and we can't accept liability if things go wrong.

This info does not constitute financial advice, always do your own research on top to ensure it's right for your specific circumstances and remember we focus on rates not service.

We don't AS a general policy investigate the solvency of companies mentioned (how likely they are to go bust), but there is a risk any company can struggle and it's rarely made public until it's too late (see the section 75 guide for protection tips).

We often link to other websites, but we can't be responsible for their content.

Always remember anyone can post on the MSE forums, so it can be very different from our opinion.

MoneySavingExpert.com is part of the MoneySupermarket Group, but is entirely editorially independent. Its stance of putting consumers first is protected and enshrined in the legally-binding MSE Editorial Code.